Digicel Pro League leaders Defence Force will tackle middle-of-the-table North East Stars when matches in round two of the league kick off today with a doubleheader at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 6 p.m.

On the last match day last Friday, the Defence Force (19 points) slaughtered St Ann's Rangers 8-0, with Kevon Carter's hattrick leading the army men's onslaught.

Fourth placed North East Stars (10 pts), who were edged 1-0 by second-placed Caledonia AIA (16 pts) and lost their unbeaten record as a reult, are expected to be much tougher opponents.

In the second match of the doubleheader Caledonia, who have a game in hand, come up against third-placed W Connection (12 pts). The 'Savonetta Boys' gave Terry Fenwick a tough welcome as they shut out his team Central Sharks FC 3-0 last Saturday in the battle of the Central teams. The in-form Shahdon Winchester fired a hattrick to monopolise the scoring for the Couva-based team.

But the in-form Caledonia will want to maintain the pressure on leaders Defence Force and so this encounter should be keenly contested between two teams hungry for continued success.

Tomorrow, T&TEC (three pts) and ST Ann's Rangers (five pts) meet in a bottom-of-the-heap battle from 5 p.m. at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium. In that day's second match Police FC, fifth with nine points, tackle Central FC, who are currently sixth with six points but who also have two games in hand.